What to do if your Phone is Stolen
On our programme on Tuesday 26th November 2024, Rip Off Britain investigated the rise in smartphone theft and the devastating consequences of having your personal information fall into the hands of criminals.
In HQ, technology expert David McClelland had this advice on how to avoid having your phone stolen, and should the worst happen- what to do if it is.
Take Precautions
• Use a phone unlock passcode: Don’t make the passcode obvious, and if possible use biometrics like a fingerprint, or facial recognition, to unlock your device.
• Check your screen lock time: Your screen lock time determines how quickly your device locks once you've stopped using it, if you make that short it is harder for thieves to access your phone after it has been snatched.
• Set up a PIN for your SIM card: Even if your phone stays fully secured, criminals might still take the out the SIM and put it into another phone to steal your money or even your identity. A SIM PIN can prevent that.
• Set up a ‘Find My’ App on your phone: These services allow you to access your phone remotely, meaning you can lock it or even erase all your data. On Apple devices this can be done via the Find My app and on Android you can use the Find My Device app.
• Find your IMEI number: Every phone has an IMEI number which helps police and insurance companies to identify it if it's stolen. UK network operators can also stop a stolen phone from working across their networks with its IMEI. Find your IMEI number by dialling *#06# from your phone and keep a written note of it.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Be careful when using your phone in busy places in cities, that's where smartphone snatchers like to operate. You can get more safety advice from the Metropolitan Police here and from Crimestoppers here
First Response
If your phone is stolen you should take these immediate actions.
• Access your phone remotely: Use a different device, like a laptop, a tablet, or even a friend’s phone, to access your phone remotely as soon as possible. This will allow you to lock or even erase your device entirely. Different manufacturers have different systems but they all operate in a similar way.
• iPhone - visit iCloud.com/find or open the Find My app on another one of your Apple devices.
• Android - visit android.com/find or open the Find My Device app on another one of your devices.
• Samsung - visit findmymobile.samsung.com and sign in with your Samsung account.
• Speak to your network provider: They can block your SIM ensuring a big bill can’t be racked up on your account. UK network operators can also stop a stolen phone from working across their networks with its IMEI. You should also ask about any new ‘charge to bill’ payments and ask for the facility to be cancelled.
• Speak to your bank and/or credit card provider: They can disable payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
• Speak to the Police: Give them your IMEI number in case they can recover the device.
New Technologies
David also talked about the new technologies which allow you to secure your phone and protect your account.
• Apple Stolen Device Protection: This protection adds an additional layer of security requiring Face ID or Touch ID biometric to access certain functions when you are away from familiar locations, like work and home. While the Security Delay function means that some security functions, like changing your Apple Account password, require you to wait an hour and then perform a second Face ID or Touch ID authentication. Giving you time to disable the account if the phone is snatched. You can find out more about how to enable this function on your device here
• Android Theft Protection: Theft Detection Lock uses Google AI to sense if someone snatches your phone from your hand and tries to run, bike or drive away. If a common motion associated with theft is detected, your phone screen quickly locks helping to keep thieves from easily accessing your data. This is available for newer models of Android phone, you can find out more here
